Airbnb and Milan refugee-relief groups are partnering to use the short-term rental platform as a way to place refugees in suitable housing.
People willing to provide rooms or apartments for refugees can create host profiles on the platform after identity and security checks; existing Airbnb hosts can also participate.
Once apartments or rooms are listed, the relief organizations, Refugees Welcome Italy and the Catholic group Community of Sant’Egidio, are able to book rooms on behalf of families and individuals they are assisting. Over 100 offers of housing came in almost immediately.
Milan was chosen as the pilot city because of its experience last year with a city-sponsored effort called the Open Homes Project, which matched over 100 families with places to stay. The Airbnb program will be extended soon to Rome and other cities.
